Everything you need to know about the $50 million Mott Community College bond question

FLINT, MI – Genesee County voters are being asked to renew a Mott Community College bond that will allow the school to borrow up to $50
million over the next several years to pay for improvements and upgrades to
campus and technology.

Although the bond is new, the amount Genesee County
residents would pay would not change what they are already paying since 2004 when voters approved the last Mott renewal.

Without another bond renewal, school officials said many college improvements may not get done.

"(The bond) has brought a way for the college to address its
capital needs without passing it on through tuition," said Larry Gawthrop, Mott's
chief financial officer. "Any 90-year-old facility as it ages, there's going to
be repairs, upgrades."

Currently residents pay 0.87 mills, or 87 cents for every
$1,000 of taxable value. So a house worth $100,000 would have $50,000 taxable
value and the homeowner would pay $43.50 a year.

Residents who live in the college's district, which is
comprised of all the school districts in Genesee County, would vote for the bond
renewal. With the renewal of a new bond, residents would still be paying 0.87
mills, Gawthrop said.

Bond millage funds cannot be used for salaries or operating
funds. The money will be used for capital improvements, maintenance,
construction and other things of that nature.

In the past bond projected included renovations to the Mott
library and improvements and upgrades to the Regional Technological Center.

Brandon DuBois-Jones, 19, of Richfield Township, said he would not vote for the bond renewal because he believes in limited government, especially when it comes to higher education.

"A lot of people who will pay the tax have no ties to Mott or will not benefit from the bond," DuBois-Jones said.

Gordie Kaufman, 42, of Swartz Creek said the Mott bond is
worth voting for. The bond would make it so Mott doesn't have to increase
prices or cut programs, he said.

"In the long run I don't see it affecting me. It's so
little," said Kaufman.

And even if some residents complain about more millages or
costs, in reality they will probably approve the bond because it doesn't cost
them that much, Kaufman said.

More than $85 million worth of capital projects have been identified
on the campus, Gawthrop said. Those projects include roof repairs, repairs to boilers,
parking deck improvements and technology upgrades.

Without the bond renewal the college would see a major void
of capital improvements, Gawthrop said. The community would not be saving much
if they turn down the renewal, either, he said. The millage rate would go from
0.87 to 0.80 and homeowners with $100,000 homes would save roughly $3.50, he
said.

Mott administrators have been good stewards of the money,
said Mott Spokesman Michael Kelly. No one received a pay increase last year and
some even took cuts, Kelly said.

Mott Community College has a unique place in the community,
Gawthrop said.

It was created in 1923 by the community and Flint Community
Schools. In 1969 its services went countywide. It was first called Genesee
Community College before changing to Mott Community College.

Unlike the other colleges in Genesee County, Mott is funded
by state aid, tuition and property taxes.

"We get all three as a way to provide education at
affordable rates," Kelly said.

Mott also prepares the work force and focuses on what
Genesee County needs, Gawthrop said. He said he is hopeful that the community
will continue to support Mott like it has in the past.

"In the past the community has been very supportive. We hope
they will continue to be supportive," Gawthrop said.